MELBOURNE – Thornbury Theatre – Friday, March 20
BRISBANE – The Tivoli – Wednesday, March 25
SYDNEY – Factory Theatre – Friday, March 27
GP Tickets go on sale Friday, January 16, at 12 pm local time from www.tegdainty.com
TEG Dainty is delighted to announce that Grammy and Academy Award–winning artist Bret McKenzie (Flight of the Conchords) will return to Australia in March 2026 for a special run of live performances in support of his new, critically-acclaimed album Freak Out City.
Following his solo debut, Songs Without Jokes, Bret released his second project, Freak Out City, in August 2025 via Sub Pop Records. Co-produced with longtime collaborator Mickey Petralia, the collection was shaped on the road with his eight-piece band, The State Highway Wonders.
Hailed as “upbeat, well-made and refreshingly smart” (Daily Mirror) and “superbly crafted with a nod to the greats (God is in the TV), the record highlights Bret’s evolving artistry, blending sharp lyricism, lush arrangements and his unmistakable offbeat charm.
After a series of successful sold-out residencies in key cities across the US and UK, Bret and his band are bringing their signature variety-style live show to Australia. Their dynamic performance will feature newly-released songs alongside old favourites, plus hilarious recountings of key moments from Bret’s colourful career, songs written on the fly using audience members’ real-life stories, and various other onstage antics.
Celebrated for his singular blend of music, humour and storytelling, Bret – best known as one half of Flight of the Conchords – has carved out an exceptional international career writing unforgettable songs for film, television and some of the world’s most iconic performers.
From Kermit the Frog, Miss Piggy, Celine Dion and Lizzo to Tony Bennett, Ricky Gervais, and even Homer and Lisa Simpson, Bret’s songwriting spans genres, generations and worlds both real and imagined, whilst songs he has written and performed appear in innumerable movies and TV shows – from Minecraft to The Muppets.
In March 2026, Australian audiences will have the chance to experience material from Freak Out City alongside favourites from his wide-ranging and celebrated career.
Bret’s musical roots trace back to Wellington’s vibrant scene, where he played across reggae, electronica, indie pop and jazz. In the late 90s he co-founded The Black Seeds and the Wellington International Ukulele Orchestra, while continuing long-standing collaborations with Jemaine Clement and Taika Waititi.
Bret’s work with Flight of the Conchords became a global phenomenon, earning a Grammy and launching him into the American film world. In 2012, he won the Academy Award for Best Original Song for “Man or Muppet,” securing his reputation as one of the most distinctive comedic songwriters of his generation.
